Driving mechanism for washing-machines



A. B. COOLING.

DRIVING MECHANISM FUR WASHING MACHINES. APPLICATION FILED Aue.14,1911.

1,340,328. Patented Muy 18, 1920.

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5% fg., @Iaml A. B. COOLING. DRIVING MECHANISM FUR WASHING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. I4, |911.

Patented May 18, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

lswung through an angle of 90o.

UNITED STATES PATENT oEEIcE.,

ARTHUR B. COOLING, OF STERLING, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO SUPERIOR MACHINE COMPANY, OF STERLING, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION 0F ILLINOIS.

DRIVIN G MECHAN ISM FOR WASHING-MACHINES.

To all whom z't may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR B. COOLING, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sterling, in the county of lVhiteside and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Driving Mechanism for Washing-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention pertains to mechanism for washing machines, and has reference more particularly to that class of such machines which are known as platform washers, and are fitted to be operated by mechanical power. In machines of that description it is usual to wash the clothes in a suitably operated tub and run them through a wringer into another tub containing rinse water, from which tub they are again run through the Wringer into the clothes basket or other receptacle. This makes it necessary to change the position of the wringing apparatus,and in my device bythe use of novel mechanism the wringer supporting and actuating means can be quickly shifted from one position to another without any adjustment of the mechanical parts, and without interrupting the movement of the wringer, if in operation. The wringer rclls can also be nuickly stopped or reversed, if desired.

lt .y invention also comprises mechanism whereby the operation of the washing machine and wringer devices can he controlled and actuated independently of each other.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine embodying my invention, with a portion of the frame cut away. Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof, with the tubs and wringer removed and the wringer arm Fig 3 shows the operating mechanism in detail, in vertical medial section. Fig. 4 is a detail showing the wringer-supporting devices.

Similar parts are indicated by corresponding reference numbers throughout the several figures.

1 represents the frame of the machine, supported on legs 2, and partially covered by a platform 3. At the open end of the frame are cross-pieces 4 and 5, beneath which is rotatably supported a shaft (i upon the outer end of which is fixed a pulley T, by means of which movement may be imparted to said shaft. Near the inner end of said shaft is fixed a gear pinion 8 meshing with a gear-wheel 9 fixed on a .shaft IU, supported i Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led August 14, 1911.

Patented May 18, 1920.

Serial No. 644,035.

in a bearing 11 on the cross-piece 5 and a bearing 12 on a bracket 13. The bracket 13 is secured to the lower end of a vertical pipe y.14 supported in a hollow standard 15 mounted on the platform 3, such pipe being held in place by means of a set-screw 16 in the head 17 of said standard.

Rotatably supported in the pipe 14 is a shaft 18 fixed to which near its upper end is a collar 19 resting upon the upper end of the ipe 14. Fixed to the lower end of the shafpt 18 is a bevel-gear wheel 20, actuated by a similar wheel 21 secured on the shaft 10. Supported on the upper end of the standard 15, so as to have free movement of the pipe 14, is a sleeve 22, connected with a similar sleeve 23 by means of a bar 24. Projected from the upper end of such bar is a plate 25, and from the lower end of said bar extends a brace 26, to which plate and brace is secured a wringer support 27, on lwhich is mounted the usual wringer 28. Such wringer-support and wringer are thus capable of a pivotal movement about the pipe 14, such support being normally held in position transversely of the frame of the machine by means of a post 29 fixed to such frame, and provided near its upper end with a gravity latch 30 by which accidental swinging of the wringer-support is prevented.

The shaft 3l of the lower wringer-roll is projected at one end beyond the wringer frame and supported in a spherical casing 32 supported on the sleeve 23. Mounted on the shaft 31, so as to rotate freely thereon, is a pair of bevel-gear wheels 33, actuated by a similar wheel 34 fixed on the u per end of the shaft 18, the movement o the wheels 33 being in opposite directions. The rotation of the shaft 6 is imparted through the shafts 10 and 18 to the wheels 33, causing a continuous rotation thereof. Centrally of the wheels 33 a clutch 35 is feathered on the shaft 31, the teeth of which are adapted to alternately engage corresponding clutch-teeth on the inner faces of said wheels. Engaging the clutch 35 is a lever 36, fulcrnmed on a hearing 37 projecting inwardly from the casing 32, said lever passing upwardly through a slot 38 in the casing. lVhen the lever 36 is in a vertical position the clutch 35 is not in engagement with either of the wheels 33, and the Shaft 31 is stationary, but by a movement of such lever in one direction or the other the clutch g Lamme is brought into engagement with one or other of the wheels 33 and a forward or rearward movement of the wringenrolls results.

Pivoted in the cross-piece 4 is a vertical hub 39, to which are fixed radial arms 40, upon which is supported a tub 41. A shaft 42 is supported at one end in a bearing 43 on the cross-piece 4, and at the other end in the hub 44 of the wheel 9, the outer end of such hub being provided with clutch-teeth 45. A sleeve 46 is slidably mounted on the shaft 42 and is provided with teeth 47, adapted to engage the teeth 45. The sleeve 46 is also provided with recesses 48 engaged by a pin 49 fixed in the shaft 42, limiting the movement of such sleeve longitudinally of the shaft, and compelling the rotation of the sleeve with such shaft. 0n the sleeve 46 is an annular recess 50, engaged by a lever 51 fulcrumed on the frame 1, the outer end of such lever being connected by a bar 52 with a hand-lever 53 fulcrumed at one end of the machine, and provided with a handle located conveniently to the operator.

` At its outer end the shaft 42 is provided with a crank 54, connected by a bar 55 with an arm 56 fixed Ito the lower end of the hub 39, and upon the rotation of the shaft 42 an oscillating movement is imparted to said hub and the tub supported thereby.

The casing 32 is preferably formed of two hemispherical parts detachably united, for convenience in constructing the same and assembling the parts appurtenant thereto.

The o eration of the machine may be substantial y as follows: The tub 41 having been provided with a load of soiled garments and a quantity of water to effect the cleansing thereof, the tub is caused to oscillate by throwing the teeth 47 into engagement with the teeth 45, whereby the movement of the shaft 10 is communicated to the shaft 42, and through such shaft and the bar 55 to the hub 39. When theclothes have been sufficiently agitated they are passed from the tub 41 through the wringer 28 into a tub `or other receptacle 56 on the platform 3.

At this time the wringer is positioned transversel of the machine, and movement is imparte to the Wringer rolls upon operation of the lever 36 to cause the rotation of the rolls in a direction to carry the garments away from the tub 41. If the tub 56 contains water for rinsing the clothes, and it is desired to repeat'the wringing operation, this is accomplished by releasing the support 27 from engagement with the post 29 and swinging the same, with the wringer held thereon, into a position at right angles thereto, with the bar 27 in engagement with a post 57, fixed to the frame l, against which vpost such bar is held by means of a latch 58.

A basket or other receptacle'can be placed near the platform 1, on the opposite side of the wringer from the tub 56, and the clothes again passed through the wringer from the tub into said basket. In some cases it is desired to run the garments through two rinse waters, in which case they could be passed from the tub 56 into another tub containing water, the tub 56 replaced b a basket, the movement of the wringer-rol s reversed, and the garments passed rearwardly through the wringer into such basket. While the ringer is in operation at the side of the platform the tub 41 can be provided with a new loadof clothes, and the process of cleansing the same be carried on coincidently with the operation of wringing the preceding lot of garments.

t will be apparent that the change of position of the wringer 28 through the movement of the support 27 on its pivotal point will not disturb the relative position or operation of the shafts 31 and 18. By reason of the wheels rotating freely upon the shaft 31 they readily adapt themselves to the new position.

While the mechanism is shown as applied to the operation of an oscillating frame,A to impart a corresponding movement to the tub, it can be adapted for use with a machine wherein the tub is stationary and the rubbing of the clothes is accomplished by means of an oscillating dasher. Changes can also be made in the wringer actuating mechanism without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. In a driving mechanism, the combination with a tubular support, a hollow shaft mounted therein, and a drive shaft journaled in said hollow shaft, of a part to be operated supported on said hollow shaft and including a driven shaft, a bearing member carried by said hollow shaft and supporting said driven shaft, and a driving connection disposed Within the bearing member, between the drive and driven shafts including means for reversing therotation of said driven shaft.

2. In a device of the character described, in combination, a frame, a driving shaft, means for operating said shaft, a support swingable on said shaft, a driven shaft on said support, reversible actuating gears loosely mounted on said driven shaft, means for alternately clutching said gears to said driven shaft, and a mechanism on said swingable support adapted to be operated by said gears.

3. In a device of the class described, a suitable support, an operating means mount ed on said support and adapted to be swung to different positions relative to said support, means to lock the operating means in different positions on said support, a drive shaft, connections including a clutch between the shaft and said operatin means, and a controlling element controlling said clutch, said controlling element swingable with said operating means.

4. In a device of the class described, a suitable support, an operating means mounted on said support and adapted to be swung to different positions relative to said support, said operating means including a shaft extension and a bevel gear thereon, means to lock the operating means in different positions on said support, a drive shaft geared to the bevel gear on the shaft of the operating means, a clutch arranged to control the direction of rotation of said operating means, and a controlling element controlling said clutch, said controlling element swingableV with said operating means.

5. In a device of the class described, a suitable support, a driving shaft disposed horizontally on the support, an upright shaft adapted to be driven from said driving shaft, a frame member extending radially from the upper end of said upright shaft and swingable in an arc of a circle about said shaft, mechanism on said frame member adapted to receive power from said upright shaft, clutch driving connections for controlling the operation of said mechanism, and means for controlling said clutch.

6. In a device of the class described, a suitable support, a driving shaft disposed horizontally on the support, an upright shaft adapted to be driven from said driving shaft, a frame member extending radially from the upper end of said upright shaft, said shaft being the pivotal point about which said frame member is swingable, means for locking the frame member in positions at right angles to each other, as desired, mechanism on said frame member including a shaft, gearing between said last mentioned shaft and said upright shaft, a clutch controlling the transmission of power between said gearing, and an operators rod controlling said clutch.

7. In a device of the class described, a suitable support, a horizontally disposed drivin shaft, a vertically disposed countershaftnearings from said support for said vertical shaft, means for operating a counter-shaft from the driving shaft, a horizontally disposed wringer frame member, a bearing for said frame member about said counter-shaft, to adapt said frame member to be swung in an arc of a circle about said countter-shaft, means for locking the frame member in one or more adjusted positions, mechanism on the wringer frame member including a pair of roller shafts mounted for rotation therein, and gearing for operatingr said roller shafts from said counter-shaft.

8. In an apparatus of the character described, a main frame, a driving shaft journaled on said frame and adapted to be driven from a suitable source of power, a mechanism support arranged in an elevated position above said main frame, a vertically disposed shaft adapted to be driven from said driving shaft, means for supporting the mechanism support so as to swing the mechanism support about said vertical shaft, a

mechanism mounted on said mechanism supmechanism mounted on said mechanism support, driving connections between said mechanism and said vertical shaft, clutch devices for reversing the operation of said mechanism, and means for locking the mechanism support in adjusted positions on said main frame.

10. In an apparatus of the character described, a main frame, a driving shaft journaled on said frame and adapted to be driven from a suitable source of power, a horizontaily disposed mechanism support arranged in an elevated position above said main frame, a vertically disposed shaft ada ted to be driven from said driving sha t, supporting connections between said mechanism support and said vertical shaft to adapt said mechanism support to swing about said vertical shaft, a mechanism mounted on said mechanism support, clutch controlled gearing at the upper end of the vertical sha ft and connected to drive said mechanism on the mechanism support, and an`operator`s rod connected with said clutch mechanism for reversing the direction of movement of said mechanism.

11. In an apparatus of the character described, a main frame, a horizontaliy disposed driving shaft journaled on said f rame and adapted to be driven from a suitable source of power, a vertically disposed countershaft, gearing between said driving shaft and said counter shaft, a mechanism support connected at one end to swing about the upper end of said counter shaft, a mechanism carried on said mechanism support, gearing at the upper end of the counter shaft for driving said mechanism from said counter shaft, a clutch mechanism in said gearing for reversing the operation of the mecha;

nism, and an operators rod for actuating seid clutch mechanism.

12. The combination of a pivotally sup- 4mental frame, a power;

portedinember adapted to swing, a mechanism supported thereon, a driving gearing adapted for operating the mechanism including a part for imparting opposite directions of rotation to the mechanism elements, part of said gearing being mounted on said member to swing therewith, and manually operated means in control of said gearin 13. n a machine of the character described, a main frame, a supplemental frame pivotally mounted thereon and adapted to be swung to different angular positions relative toV said main frame, an operating means mounted on said suppledriven element, and connections between said power driven element and said operating means toactuate said operating means, as desired, in its different positions relative to said main frame, said connections including reversing means for actuating the operating means in either direction, as desired.

14. In a machine of the character described, a main frame, a supplemental frame pivotally mounted thereon and adapted to be swung to different angular positions relative to said main frame, an operating means mounted on said supplemental frame, actuating means for said operating means, including a power driven element, said power driven element being adapted to be thrown into and out of operative relation with parts of said actuating means for driving said operating means in either direction, as desired.

15. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination of a suitable support, a pair of horizontal roller shafts geared together and mounted oneabove the other on said support, said roller shafts being relatively adjustable to change the distance from one to the other and being adapted to swing in a horizontal plane, a pinion for one of said shafts, a vertical shaft carried by said support in vertical alinement with the pivotal axis of said horizontally swinging shafts, a pinion arranged on said vertical shaft to mesh permanently with said first mentioned pinion which rolls around said second pinion when the horizontal shaft is swung about its vertical pivot, a motor driven shaft mounted on said support, and a driving connection between said motor driven shaft and said vertical Shaft.

16. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination of a suitable support, a frame carried by said support and adapted to swing bodily in a horizontal plane, bearings in said frame, a pair of parallel roller shafts geared to ether and mounted in the bearings of sai frame, said shafts being horizontally disposed, and power driven hausses connections to one of said roller shafts, said driving lconnections being operative irref spective of the position of said frame in its horizontal plane.

17. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination of a support, a power source in fixed position relatively thereto, a pair of horizontal roller shafts, gears connecting said shafts together, resilient means for holding said roller shafts relative to one another, a frame supporting said roller shafts, said frame being movable outward from said support to a new position, and gear driving connections from said power source to said roller shafts, said connections being operative to drive said roller shafts either forward or backward when said frame is in either of its positions.

18. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination of a support, `a pair of horizontal roller shafts geared together, resilient means for holding said roller shafts relative to one another, a frame supporting said roller shafts, said frame being mounted to swing to a new position, and driving connections for said shafts, said connections being operative to drive said roller shafts, when said frame is in its different positions, said driving connections including mechanically reversing means whereby said roller shafts may be instantlyT started, reversed or allowed to stop at the will of the operator.

19. In amachine of the class described, a frame, a vertical shaft thereon, means to drive said vertical shaft, a support adapted to swing about said vertical shaft, in a horizontal plane, a pair of parallel roller shafts geared together and arranged horizontally in said support, driving connections whereby said roller shafts may be driven in any position of their support relative to said vertical shaft, reversing means for revers ing the direction of rotation of said roller shafts.

20. In a machine of the class described, a frame, a vertical shaft thereon, means to drive said vertical shaft, a support adapted to swing about said vertical shaft in a horizontal plane, a pair of parallel roller shafts geared together and arranged horizontally in said support, driving connections whereby said roller shafts may be driven in any position of their support relative to said vertical shaft, reversing means for reversing the direction of rotation of said roller shafts, and means for locking' said support in adjustable position about said shaft.

21. In a machine of the class described, a support, a vertical shaft thereon, means to drive said vertical shaft, a frame adapted to swin about said vertical shaft in a horizontal p ane, a pair of adjacent roller shafts arranged one above the other supported in said frame, driving means whereby said roller shafts may be driven in any position of the support relative to the vertical shaft.

22. In a machineo'f the class described, a support, a vertical shaft thereon, a frame adapted to swing about said vertical shaft on an axis, a pair of parallel adjacent roller shafts geared together for rotation in opposite directions and arranged horizontally in said frame, provided with means whereby said roller shafts may be driven in any position of the support relative to said vertical shaft and means to lock said frame in adjusted position about said vertical shaft.

23. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination of a suitable support, a pair of horizontal roller shafts geared together and mounted on said support said shafts being adapted to swin in a horizontal plane, a pinion for one of; said shafts, a vertical shaft carried by said support in vertical alinement withthe ivotal axis of said horizontally swinging siiafts, a pinion arranged on said vertical shaft to mesh permanently with said lirst mentioned pinion which rolls around said second pinion when the horizontal shaft is swung about its vertical pivot, a motor driven 4shaft mounted on said support, and a driving connection between said motor driven shaft and said vertical shaft.

24. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination of a support, a vertical shaft carried by said support, a pinion on said vertical shaft, a bracket mounted to swing about said vertical shaft as an axis, a frame supported by said bracket and having bearings, two parallel conti ous roller shafts carried by said frame an geared together for rotation in opposite directions, a gear connection between said vertical shaft and one of said roller shafts which connection remains operative when said frame is swung about its vertical axis, and means for securing said bracket after it has been swung to a new position.

25. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination of a suitable support, a pair of horizontal roller shafts geared together for rotation1 in op osite directions and adapted to swing in a orizontal plane, a vertical shaft carried by said su port in vertical alinement with the pivota axis of said horizontall swinging shafts, a gear connection permitting said horizontal shafts to swing about their vertical pivot while driving connection is maintained to said roller shafts, a driving shaft mounted on said support, and a driving connection be tween said driving shaft and said vertical shaft.

26. In a mechanism of the class described the combination of a pair of horizontai roller shafts, resilient means for holding said roller shafts in o erative position relative to one another, a rame supporting said roller shafts and movable outward from one location to a second location, driving gears for said roller shafts, a power shaft and driving connections for propelling said gears from said power shaft, said gears and connections being o erative to drive said roller shafts when sai frame is in either of the two locations.

27. In a machine of the class described, a support, a vertical shaft thereon, means to drive said vertical shaft, a frame adapted to swing about said vertical shaft in a horizontal plane, a pair of parallel adjacent roller shafts geared together and arran ed horizontally one above the other in said frame, driving means whereby said roller shafts may be driven in any position of thesupport relative to said vertical shaft.

`28. In a machine of the class described, a support, a vertical shaft thereon, means to drive said vertical shaft, a frame adapted to swin about said vertical shaft in a horizontal p ane, a pair of parallel adjacent roller shafts geared together for rotation in opposite directions and arranged horizontally in said frame, driving means whereby said roller shafts may be driven in a plurality of positions of the support relative to said vertical shaft, and means to lock said frame in adjusted position about said vertical shaft.

29. In a device of the character described, a support, a drive shaft carried by said support, a frame pivoted above said support, a plurality of elements mounted on said support at equal distances from the pivot of said frame, means for locking said frame in engagement with said elements, respectively, a shaft in said frame, and means for driving said shaft in either direction by the constant rotation'of said drive shaft in one direction, substantially as described.

30. In a device of the character described, a support, a drive shaft carried by said support, a frame movably su ported above said support, a shaft in said rame, a transmission shaft driven by said drive shaft, gearin whereb said transmission shaft will drive said s aft in said frame in any position of said frame, a plurality of elements mounted on said support at equal distances from said transmission shaft, a member on said frame arran ed to enga e with said elements, res ective to hold aid frame in its various a justments, and means for releasing said memberfrom said elements.

31. In a machine of the class described, a j

supptorting frame, a horizontal driving sha ,"ayertical shaft, means for operating the vertlcal shaft from the horizontal shaft,

a horizontally disposed wringer o erating mechanism comprlsing a pair o roller shafts, a bearing about, the vertical shaft for sald operating mechanism to ada t said mechanism to be moved in the arc o a circle around said vertical shaft, means for lockin the operating mechanism in different adJusted positions, and caring connecting wlth said mechanism for transmitting motion thereto from the vertical shaft.

32. The combination of a pivotally supported mechanism adapted to be moved 1n the are of a circle, driving gearing adapted for operating the mechanism including a part for imparting opposite directions of rotation tothe mechanism elements, part of said gearing being mounted on said member to move therewith, and manually operated means for controlling said gearing.

33. In a .machine of the class described, a main frame, a vertical shaft, an operating mechanism ivotally mounted on said shaft and adapted to be moved to different angular positions relative thereto, actuating means including a power driven element, said power' driven element adapted to be thrown into and out of operative relation with parts of said actuating means for driving said operating mechanism in either direction.

34. In apparatus of the class described, a driving shaft, a mechanism support swingingly mounted about the axis of said driving shaft,'a pair of wrin er rolls on` said support, an extension sha t on one of said rolls, a pair of spaced gears loosely mount-- ed on said extension shaft, a gear fixed on said driving shaft and engaging said spaced ears, said spaced gears being rollable about t e gear on the driving shaft to continuously engage the same as the mechanism ingly mounted about the axis of said driving shaft, a Vpair of wrin er rolls on said support, an extension sha t on one of said rolls, a pair of spaced gears loosely mounted on said extension shaft, a gear fixed on fsaid driving shaft and engaging said spaced gears, said spaced ears being rollable about the gear on the riving shaft to continuously engage the same as themechanism support is swung horizontally, a clutch member slidably mounted on said extension shaft between saiid spaced gears and adapted to selectively en age eitherof said spaced gears whereby sai rolls may be rotated in either directlon as desired, a handle for operating said clutch'member to move the same into engagement with one or the other of saidl spaced gears for the purposes set forth, and means for locking said swinging mechanism support in any one of a plurality of horizontal positions.

In testimon whereof I affix my signature in presence o two witnesses.

. ARTHUR B. COOLING. Witnesses:

W. N. HASKELL, F. G. GIFFnoW.

It is hereby. oertified that in' Lettere Potent No. 1,340,328, granted May 18,

190, upon the application of Arthur B. Cooling, of Ster1ing, Il1inos,' for n' improvement in "Driving Mechanism for Washing-Machines, an error appears in the printed-specification requiring eorrection follows: Page 3, line 51, claim 7, for the article a read the; and that the said Letters Patent should be read withlthi oon-action therein that the samemay conform to the record of the case in 'the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 28th day of September, .A.'D`., 1920.

` [IML] M. H. COUISTON,

I Acting Commissioner qfPten. C1. 'r4-101. 

